Want to know where to find the best local child-friendly cafes around Sydney’s North Shore? We’ve searched the suburbs to bring the best babycinos, brunches, snacks and even sugar-free foods to satisfy you – and your little ones.
- Eat n Chill Wholefood Cafe, Naremburn
- Maggios Cafe, Cammeray
- Vitaland Kids Cafe, St Leonards
- The Incinerator, Willoughby
- Papas Coffee, Willoughby
- Buckle, Artarmon
- Mowbray Eatery, Lane Cove
- Dukes Green, East Lindfield
- The Tasting Deck @ Forestway Fresh, Terrey Hills
- Frankie’s Food Factory, Terrey Hills
Best Child-friendly Cafes on Sydney’s Lower North Shore
1. Eat N Chill Wholefood Cafe, Naremburn
Eat N Chill Wholefood Cafe, Naremburn
Eat N Chill Wholefoods Cafe serves fresh, organic, delicious meals from locally sourced produce. The children’s menu is a breath of fresh air with a focus on unprocessed and sugar-free foods. In fact, if your kids have allergies, this is the place to go with gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free options available.
They have a family-friendly environment, so you can take a moment to enjoy their (really good!) coffee sitting on the back verandah while watching the kids play on the grass and inside the cubby house. It’s like a giant backyard where your kids can roam free while you catch up with friends.
-
- EatNChill Naremburn
-
- EatNChill Naremburn
-
- EatNChill Naremburn
2. Maggio’s Cafe
Maggio’s Cafe
Since 1998, Maggio’s Café in Cammeray has delighted Sydney families with traditional Italian pastries and cakes. Famous for its cannoli, ricotta cheesecakes, and chocolate tortes, this child-friendly cafe also offers fantastic breakfast and lunch options that shouldn’t be overlooked. Plus, it features a great kids’ menu!
Try their signature Maggio’s Eggs for breakfast, which combines poached eggs with a fresh tomato and basil sauce. Other breakfast highlights include a classic bacon and egg roll; chilli scrambled eggs with broccolini and feta, and corn and halloumi fritters. The pancakes are a must-try for something sweet, topped with mascarpone cream, seasonal fruit, granola, and orange maple syrup.
Lunch offers rustic pizzas, homemade lasagna, fresh salads, and bakery-fresh panini. Whether dining in with their friendly team or grabbing takeaway, Maggio’s Café is a local gem bringing authentic Italian flavours to your day.
3. Vitaland Kids Cafe, St Leonards
Yummy food!
It doesn’t get more kid-friendly than Vitaland Kids Cafe in St Leonards! In fact, Vitalland is an amazing kids’ indoor play centre, but the best thing is that the cafe is top-notch, too!
After a day of fun and play, refuel at Vitaland Kids Cafe, where a delicious selection of meals and snacks awaits. The menu features a variety of healthy and kid-friendly options, including sandwiches, salads, fresh smoothies, and gourmet coffee for parents. Every dish is crafted with high-quality ingredients, ensuring a tasty and nutritious experience for all. Whether stopping by for a quick bite or enjoying a sit-down meal with the family, the cafe offers the perfect spot to relax and savour great food while children continue their adventures.
Read our Vitaland Kids Cafe review.
-
- Vitaland Kids Cafe
-
- Vitaland Kids Cafe
-
- Vitaland Kids Cafe
4. The Incinerator, Willoughby
Incinerator Brunch Menu. Try the Pretty In Pink (v) $21: Ricotta hotcakes, strawberry cream, pistachio, vanilla ice cream and rose fairy floss
The old Incinerator Art Space in Willoughby has been transformed into a trendy cafe with outdoor seating under shady gum trees. It has plenty of space for prams; kids can hop down and play while you enjoy your coffee. As far as child-friendly cafes go, this one is a winner.
They are open for breakfast & lunch and have a gourmet menu focusing on seasonal produce. Each dish is a masterpiece (perfect for that Instagram opportunity), adorned with bright colours and edible flowers to make it pop.
The current lunch menu is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. The vibe is relaxed and friendly, with easy pram access and indoor and outdoor seating, and Hallstrom Park is just next door for a play!
- Address: 2 Small Street, Willoughby
- Phone: (02) 8188 2220
5. Papas Coffee, Willoughby
Papas Coffee, Willoughby
If you have little kids to keep busy, then beeline for Papas Coffee in Willoughby, where the pancakes come shaped like animals, the babycinos are topped with copious amounts of sprinkles, and there’s a dedicated play space for little tots to set loose. You can enjoy their excellent all-day breakfast menu, feast on burgers, salads and wraps for lunch, or simply sip on a coffee or smoothie while the kids have a play.
Being a kids-friendly cafe, Papas Coffee has a kids’ playing space, a pram parking area and even a nappy change area!
- Address: Shop 3, 56-58 Frenchs Road, Willoughby
- Phone: 0422 247 127
6. Buckle Cafe & Distillery, Artarmon
Buckle Cafe & Distillery, Artarmon
Looking for a family-friendly spot with great food and a welcoming vibe? Buckle, Artarmon’s newest Café & Distillery is a fantastic choice for parents and kids on Sydney’s Lower North Shore.
Open daily from 8 am until late, Buckle offers something for everyone—from delicious café breakfasts and tasty lunches to relaxed dinners. Parents can enjoy a brand-new $9 Happy Hour featuring house-distilled vodka and gin, while little ones can dig into tasty, kid-approved meals in a laid-back setting.
For a crowd-pleasing feast, try the Buckle Cheeseburger ($22), stacked with a juicy wagyu beef patty, cheese, relish, pickles, and fries. Or go for the classic Margherita Pizza ($20), topped with Napolitano sauce, mozzarella, basil, and confit cherry tomatoes—perfect for sharing with the whole family!
7. Mowbray Eatery, Lane Cove
The playground near Mowbray Eatery
If child-friendly is what you are after, then it is hard to go past Mowbray Eatery. From the modern and open-plan design to the enclosed playground and gourmet food – this place has it all!
On a nice day, you can sit on the outdoor deck and watch the little ones play in the fenced playground while you enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat. From their deck, you have full view of the playground, giving you time to relax while the kids have fun. All the food is made fresh and they have plenty of delicious menu options.
It is also right next door to Chatswood West Library, which hosts ‘Storytime for Preschoolers’ each Thursday from 10.30am during term time. Otherwise, head to Mindaire Park in Lane Cove for an incredible inclusive playground.
- Address: 1 Felton Ave, Lane Cove West
- Phone: (02) 9427 8083
Best Child-friendly Cafes on Sydney’s Upper North Shore
8. Dukes Green Cafe, East Lindfield
Dukes Green Cafe, East Lindfield
A hidden local gem, you’ll love the relaxed atmosphere at Dukes Green Cafe in East Lindfield. Their wholesome food is not only delicious, but they claim to serve the best coffee north of the bridge. There is also a butcher next door, who is often cooking up a storm for you to taste test – yes please! And if you have a dog, they are more than welcome, with most of the seating outdoors. There is plenty of parking and it is located at the end of the small row of shops, just across from a great fenced playground (recently upgraded!). Sit and enjoy a coffee whilst watching the little ones play at the park – bliss!
- Address: 15 Hughes Place, East Lindfield
- Phone: (02) 9415 6556
Best Child-friendly Cafes on Sydney’s Northern Beaches
9. The Tasting Deck @ Forestway Fresh, Terrey Hills
The Tasting Deck @ Forestway Fresh, Terrey Hills
The Tasting Deck is a child-friendly cafe located in the Forestway Fresh grocery store just off Mona Vale Road, where you can enjoy a taste of the fresh food from the premium store. You can follow up a delicious meal with a fresh fruit and veg stock up, and turn your cafe trip into a grocery shop all in one – the promise of a playground and milkshakes post shopping works a treat for the kids!
They have an extensive breakfast, lunch and dessert menu with some fabulous kids options. The deck overlooks a sunny playground, which is fenced off from the car park so you can relax while you watch the kids play.
- Address: 2 Myoora Road, Terrey Hills
- Phone: (02) 9486 3340
10. Frankie’s Food Factory, Terrey Hills
The playground outside Frankie’s Food Factory
Frankie’s Food Factory is the new cafe to take over the restaurant at the iconic Bonds Nursery (also known as Flower Power). Enjoy quality meals and good coffee while watching your kids play outside in the fenced play area.
- Address: Flower Power, 277 Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills
- Phone: (02) 9899 2299
